Seahawks' perimeter will decide Hens game

Friday

Feb 1, 2013 at 12:18 PM

UNCW is still within reach of .500 in the CAA men's basketball race entering a two-game road swing to the Northeast.

By Brian MullBrian.Mull@StarNewsOnline.com

UNCW is still within reach of .500 in the CAA men's basketball race entering a two-game road swing to the Northeast. But the Seahawks must find a way to beat either Delaware, who they haven't faced this season, or Towson, who nipped the Seahawks 79-74 in the conference opener on Jan. 2. Here are three interesting elements for UNCW in the first game: Where UNCW might struggleDefending the Blue Hens on the perimeter. Their guards, Devon Saddler and Jarvis Threatt, are two of the best in the CAA. Both are strong, physical and excellent at drawing fouls, each averaging six free throw attempts per game. Containing penetration has been a challenge at times for UNCW, and could lead coach Buzz Peterson to play zone a majority of the time. To be effective, the Seahawks need to protect the lane and force Saddler (33.7 percent) and Threatt (18.2 percent) to settle for 3-point jump shots. UNCW guard Freddie Jackson played like a defensive stopper earlier in the season but has been exposed against elite CAA guards of late. The Seahawks need him to resume that role and need quality minutes from muscular guard Craig Ponder also.Good newsTurnovers have been a major problem for the Seahawks all season (16.1 per game, nearly one-fourth of total possessions). But Delaware is near the bottom in the CAA in forcing turnovers. It is content to pack its defense around the lane and force contested mid-range jump shots, knowing a premier shotblocker is there to protect the basket. This could open up 3-point opportunities for the Seahawks, and guard Tanner Milson who is on a hot, but odd, shooting tear away from home. Since going 0-for-5 in a 3-point loss at Marshall on Dec. 1st, Milson is 20-for-35 (57.1 percent) on 3-pointers in the last seven road games. Five of his seven double-figure scoring games occurred on the road, including a season-high 20 points in the Seahawks' 68-64 loss at Northeastern on Dec. 5th.Best matchup Keith Rendleman of UNCW and Jamelle Hagins are similar in build and athleticism. The seniors are two of the best three post players in the CAA, although Hagins' production has dipped in conference play. In conference games, Rendleman is 10th in scoring (15.4 ppg), rebounding (11.6 rpg), field goal percentage (50.0), blocked shots (2.0 bpg). Hagins is eighth in rebounding (7.8 rpg), fourth in blocks (2.3 bpg). The two staged a fantastic battle in Trask Coliseum last January, trading post moves and fighting for rebounds. UNCW will run its offense through Rendleman, while Delaware uses Hagins in more of a complementary role. Still, this is an intriguing battle between two players who might feel like they are looking at a mirror image.